Use this guide before you leave your home empty for more than a few nights between autumn and spring, for example over Christmas, for a long trip or a hospital stay. Have your home insurance documents, your heating controls manual and a trusted neighbour or relative's contact details ready.
Step by step
Check your insurance unoccupancy rules
Most home insurance policies have rules about leaving a property empty, often called unoccupancy clauses, which can limit cover after a set number of days or require certain precautions. Find the section in your policy wording and note the number of days and any conditions, such as turning off the water or having the home checked regularly. If you will be away longer than allowed, call the insurer before you go and ask what cover you can keep. Write down what they say, with the date and the name of the person you spoke to.
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